Gophers volleyball sweeps LIU to open Diet Coke Classic

The Minnesota Gophers volleyball team took care of business without any problem Thursday night, sweeping Long Island University 25-17, 25-14, 25-16 in the opener of the Diet Coke Classic.

The Gophers started fast and never looked back.

In Set 1, the Maroon and Gold led by as many as nine points and had five of their nine aces on the night to cruise to a first frame win.

It was more of the same in the second stanza, with the Gophers not only starting strong put finishing strong, too, growing the lead to 11 to close it out.

Minnesota took control of the third set 4-3 and never trailed, coasting to the end.

Overall, the Gophers hit a season-high .313 and held LIU to just .108.

McKenna Wucherer had 10 kills to lead the Gophers offensively while Calissa Minatee and Lydia Grove each added eight kills. Melani Shaffmaster had a match-high 20 assists for Minnesota. Defensively, Zeynep Palabiyik had nine digs.

The Gophers also got a lot of reserves into the match against the Sharks, including redshirt sophomore setter Chloe Ng, who made her collegiate debut and tallied two assists. Sydney Schnichels also added three kills, the first of her collegiate career.

The win moves the Gophers to 3-3 on the young season and 2-0 at home.

Minnesota is back in action at Maturi Pavilion on Friday night against undefeated Auburn. That match is set for a 6 p.m. start and will stream on B1G+.